Firm leads way in recycling rechargeable batteries

LiBatt Recycling, located in Wolverhampton, is making headlines as the first company in the UK to successfully recycle rechargeable lithium ion batteries. These batteries are found in many everyday items, such as mobile phones, vapes, and electric cars. Most people know that you should not throw these batteries in the regular bin because they can be dangerous. If a lithium ion battery is damaged or crushed, it can explode or start a fire, which is a serious risk for garbage trucks and landfills.

Robin Brundle, one of the leaders at LiBatt, explains that the key to recycling these batteries safely is to shred them in a nitrogen gas atmosphere. This special method prevents fires and explosions, making it possible to recover all the valuable materials inside the batteries. After shredding, the company uses standard recycling technology to separate and reclaim copper, aluminium, and plastic. There is also a fine powder called black mass, which contains important elements like cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium. This powder is sent overseas, mainly to China, where it is used to make new batteries.

Dr Anton Zorin from LiBatt says that people often keep old rechargeable batteries at home because they do not know how to dispose of them safely. With LiBatt's new recycling process, the UK could produce up to 42 percent of the raw materials needed for new batteries. This would reduce the country's dependence on foreign mining and production. LiBatt is now working with other companies and institutions in the West Midlands to improve battery recycling and eventually start making new batteries in the UK. By closing the battery recycling loop, they hope to create a safer and more sustainable future for everyone. If you have old rechargeable batteries, recycling them properly can help protect the environment and support new technology.